The Ultimate Toiletry Kit Packing List

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When it comes to packing for a trip, the toiletry kit is one of the most essential items (and one of the most complicated to put together, especially if you’re flying carry-on only). A well-curated kit ensures that you have all the necessary items without weighing you down or causing potential spills. From travel-sized toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste to essential tools like a razor, nail clippers, and a travel towel, a comprehensive toiletry kit ensures you’re fully equipped for any situation that might arise on the road.

To keep everything neatly contained, I like Eagle Creek’s toiletry bag, which can be hung up or laid out flat to quickly find whatever you need. Made from a water-repellent material, this kit will contain any toiletry spills—and can be washed for easy clean-up.

I also recommend keeping your toiletry kit in your personal item when you fly—in case of delays or canceled flights, it’s nice to be able to clean up (even if it’s in an airport bathroom). Plus, if your checked bag goes missing, you’ll still have the essentials. 

Here’s what you should pack in your toiletry kit.

Dental Hygiene

Toothbrush: Suri’s Sustainable Electric Toothbrush is designed for both convenience and eco-friendliness. Its rechargeable battery lasts over 40 days on a single charge, while the UV travel case protects and sanitizes your toothbrush on the go. The brush features plant-based heads made from corn starch and castor oil, which can be mailed back to Suri for free recycling—ensuring a cleaner smile and a healthier planet.

Toothpaste: Stop buying wasteful mini toothpaste and instead use a refillable toothpaste tube. This set from Matador contains one-week and two-week size refillable tubes that can be tossed in the dishwasher after each trip.

Floss: These floss picks come in a convenient carrying case for travel.

Mouthwash: Freshen up without adding a ton of weight to your toiletry kit with this concentrated mouthwash that lets you add however much water you want for customized freshness. One tiny bottle can be used up to 64 times!

Makeup

Makeup Brushes: I’m obsessed with Ere Perez’ Eco Vegan Essential Brush Set, which is a super compact kit containing mini tweezers, multi-purpose makeup brushes, and an eyebrow/lash brush. The vegan brushes come with aluminium handles and caps that protect them for travel.

Artis Makeup Wipes: Keep your brushes clean on the road with Artis’ easy-to-use makeup wipes.

Makeup: Leave the heavy foundations at home and pack The Organic Skin Co.’s The Only Glow Tinted Face Oil, which combines a tinted moisturizer with face oil for a hydrating treatment that evens out imperfections and leaves your skin looking flawless.

Shower Essentials

Shampoo and Conditioner: Vegamour’s travel-sized shampoo and conditioner set works on all hair types and uses a vegan B-silk protein to help promote thicker and fuller hair (that’s way better than any complimentary hotel shampoo.)

Body Wash: Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap boasts that it can be used for 18 different things, including as a body wash or laundry detergent. 

Face Wash: Drunk Elephant’s Pekee Cleansing Bar is a gentle facial cleanser in solid form, helping you stay under that 3-1-1 liquid requirement. 

Refillable Toiletry Bottles: If you prefer to simply bring your own toiletries decanted into a travel size, I recommend Matador’s unique FlatPak Toiletry Bottles, which take up less space in your kit than hard plastic ones.

Razor: Downsize all your toiletries, even your razor, to save space. The Gillette Venus uses a regular size blade but has a small handle to keep it portable (and it includes a travel case). 

Skincare

Face Lotion: Air travel can be incredibly dehydrating. Get some moisture back in your skin with Colleen Rothschild Beauty’s Extreme Recovery Cream, an ultra-thick moisturizing cream that strengthens the hydro-lipid barrier and helps rejuvenate your skin.

Sunscreen: Don’t let a sunburn ruin your trip—pack plenty of sunscreen. Visor’s sunscreen is a delight to wear (compared to traditional sunscreen) and comes in a clear gel formula that won’t leave a white cast on your skin.

Body Lotion: Solid body lotion does exist—find this unique formulation in Kate McLeod’s stone body moisturizer, which melts on contact with your skin. The subtle lavender and chamomile scent is designed to help you sleep (no matter where you are).

Eye Cream: Look photo-ready (even after a red-eye) with Luzern’s Nuit Eye Balm, which helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. The cream comes with a travel-friendly applicator that provides a cooling and soothing feel.

Solawave’s 2-in-1 Skincare Mini: Red light therapy is the latest must-have in skincare, known for its ability to smooth fine lines and give your skin a radiant glow. Keep your routine on track, even while traveling, with Solawave’s 2-in-1 Skincare Mini. This compact, travel-friendly device combines Red and Near-Infrared light therapy with therapeutic warmth to help depuff and rejuvenate your skin after a long day. Designed for both face and body, it conveniently collapses for easy packing—making it the perfect addition to your toiletry kit.

Hair Products

Leave-in Conditioner: Vegamour’s leave-in conditioner not only fights frizz but provides heat protection of up to 450 degrees (essential if you’re using the hotel-provided hair dryer.)

Comb/Brush: Pack a brush that does double-duty as a comb and can be used on wet or dry hair, like the Tangle Teezer Compact Styler.

Dry Shampoo: Skip the aerosol dry shampoo and opt for a hair powder instead, like this one by Handmade Heroes. 

Hair Ties: Treat your hair with care by using a silk hair tie, like the Hair Match Silk Scrunchies from Curlfriend Collective. Made from 100 percent high-quality silk, these slim scrunchies are gentle on your hair, preventing pulling and damage. Designed with extra elastic, they provide a secure hold—even for the thickest hair. Plus, with a wide range of colors available, you can easily find the perfect shade to blend seamlessly with your hair.

Miscellaneous

Antiperspirant or Deodorant: Degree makes a perfectly travel-sized version.

Contact Solution and Case: For contact lens wearers, Opti-Free’s travel set includes cleaning solution and a lens case. 

Cotton Swabs: Good for everything from fixing makeup to cleaning ears, cotton swabs are essential to pack.

Nail Clipper: Revlon’s Compact Nail Clipper is ultra-portable.

Tweezers: Contrary to popular belief, tweezers are allowed in carry-on bags on a plane. Revlon’s travel set comes with a protective pouch to keep them safe in your toiletry kit.

Lip Balm: Opt for a lip balm with SPF protection to keep your lips from getting sunburned. 

Download Our Editable Toiletry Kit Packing List Here

You can also get an editable packing checklist version of this toiletry kit by clicking below:

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

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